Much of that yes. Those who've held car driving licences before (I think) 2002 don't have to pass a test to ride the moped class, and that covers a huge proportion of e-bike riders, given the older age slant of users. They won't have to bother with L plates, CBT etc, nor will the many who already have a motorcycle licence.
Speedo and lights aren't a problem, many e-bikes having them already.
MOT from 3 years bike age on, but these are virtually nod through, just a few minutes of cursory checking by a motorcycle mechanic. Things like the riding test and CBT will be similarly nod through events, since testers and testing facilities aren't equipped to do those for e-bikes, and they are once only in a lifetime events, no big deal.
The main differences from when we had the add-on petrol motors are that there were no consumer motorcycle crash helmets then, so no legislation, and no MOTs.
All this illustrates what has been said already, it's best to carry on as we are, meaning we can quietly enjoy some higher speeds without drawing attention to ourselves and without campaigning for changes in the law which we can never get anyway.
Those who stubbornly won't accept that and demand official higher performance have the way out the authorities have provided, type approval etc, accepting all that entails.
The only worthwhile campaign would be to get the Swiss style high speed class that Germany enjoys and which we are entitled to in EU law. That means pedelec cycling to 20 mph with insurance and cycle helmets, and I think there may be some other small requirements. However, even that will have the undesirable effect of drawing attention to some e-bikers wanting higher speeds, attracting unwanted official attention.
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